Jimmy Kimmel asks Bernie Sanders about an independent run
Bernie Sanders gave Jimmy Kimmel credit for opening a channel of communication between him and Donald Trump.
"You made it possible for us to have a very interesting debate. About two guys who look at the world very, very differently," Sanders said on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" on Thursday night. And he was referring to the possibility of a Trump-Sanders debate.
That conversation came about because of Kimmel. On Wednesday's show, he had asked Trump whether he'd debate Sanders, given that Hillary Clinton had turned Sanders down for a California debate. Trump declared he would -- as long as the proceeds went to charity.
Clinton was asked about her reaction to the debate, which she dismissed as a joke.
Sanders says he is looking forward to the debate with Trump, and said that ABC has already contacted him about it. Fox News has also shown interest, according to the AP.
Having asked Trump a question from Sanders the night before, Kimmel turned to Sanders Thursday night to ask him a question Trump wanted to ask.
"Bernie, you have been treated very unfairly," Kimmel read. "Both primary systems are rigged, but in particular the Democrats' ridiculous system of superdelegates. Will you run as an independent when Debbie Wasserman Schultz and the party bosses steal this nomination away from you?"
Sanders didn't commit.
"I think there is a little bit of self-service there from Donald Trump," Sanders said to Kimmel. He joked that the question must come straight from the heart and said he hopes to run against Trump as the Democratic nominee.
That is a big stretch for Sanders who, according to CBS News estimates, would need to win about 68 percent of the pledged delegates remaining to overtake Clinton - far higher than the 46 percent of pledged delegates he has won in primaries and caucuses so far.
Kimmel played Sanders a clip of Clinton saying there is no way she will not be the nominee. Sanders said it showed a "tinge arrogance."